Follow the 400 year background story leading to the creation of the first 3D model of a supernova (Cassiopeia A). This article explains how science, mathematics and technology led to the visual representation of data gathered by NASA's Chandra X-ray...(View More) Observatory. The model of Cassiopeia A is available free online- allowing you to make your own 3D model.(View Less)

The H-R diagram is a scatter graph of stars, a plot of stellar absolute magnitude or luminosity versus temperature or stellar classification. It is an important astronomical tool for understanding how stars evolve over time. Stellar evolution cannot...(View More) be studied by observing individual stars as most changes occur over millions and billions of years. Astrophysicists observe numerous stars at various stages in their evolutionary history to determine their changing properties and probable evolutionary tracks across the H-R diagram. In this activity, students plot both maxima and minima with corresponding stellar classifications for several variables, and then identify the type of variability: Cepheid, RR Lyrae, Mira or Semiregular. This activity includes background information, a teacher guide, a student activity, and accompanying worksheets. The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) and The Chandra X-Ray mission have collaborated to develop this activity.(View Less)

In this lesson, students measure the size of several galaxies to reproduce a plot of Hubble's Law. The goal of this lesson is to give students the chance to simulate the process that led to the notion that the universe is expanding, provide insight...(View More) into how this idea was reached, and inform students about the nature of our universe. This lesson is part of the Cosmic Times teacher's guide and is intended to be used in conjunction with the 1929 Cosmic Times Poster.(View Less)

In this activity, learners explore the size and scale of the universe by shrinking cosmic scale in 4 steps, zooming out from the realm of the Earth and Moon to the realm of the galaxies. This informational brochure was designed as a follow-up...(View More) take-home activity for teen and adult audiences. It can follow informal education activities where participants have experienced related space science programming. This activity allows participants to explore ideas of size and scale in the universe at their own pace.(View Less)

This online module features an interactive model of the the Milky Way galaxy. Students click on parts of the model to read and learn about the different components of galaxies. Upon completion of this activity, students will be able to locate parts...(View More) of and build the Milky Way, and identify Earth's location within it. Additional information about our galaxy can be found in the Galaxy Gallery and Galaxy Gossip sections of the module. Students can complete this activity independently or in small groups. However, students should complete this activity prior to completing Galaxy Games. Detailed teacher pages, identified as Teaching Tips on the activity's title page, provide science background information, lesson plan ideas, related resources, and alignment with national education standards. This activity is part of the online exploration "Galaxies Galore, Games and More" available on the Amazing Space website.(View Less)